Clamping block for use with a dental matrix retainer



Aug- 15, 1961 B. F,TOFFLEM1RE 2,995,822

CLAMPING BLOCK FOR USE WITH A DENTAL MATRIX RETANIER Filed March 3, 1960 1 mi lulllllmm,

l l FA/ INVENTOR.

BENJAMIN F. TOFFLEMIRE BY L n ATTORNEYS United States Patent O n 2,995,822 CLAMPING BLOCK FOR USE WITH A DENTAL MATRIX RETAINER Benjamin F. Toillemire, P.0. Box 677, Lafayette, Calif. Filed Mar. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 12,593 2 Claims. (Cl. 32--63) The present invention relates to improvements in a clamping block for use With a dental matrix retainer-in securing a looped matrix band around a patients tooth. It has particular reference to improvements over the dental appliances shown in my copending applications, Serial Nos. 798,003 and 837,143 (now Patent No. 2,964,847), which were led in `the United States Patent Office on March 9, 1959 and August 31, 1959, respectively. 1

In each of the above-mentioned copending applications, I provide a dental matrix band retainer having a clamping block detachably secured thereto, the block being slotted so as to straddle overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band, with the loop projecting beyond the block for encircling a patients tooth. The retainer is designed for engaging with the overlapped end sections of the band, and is operable for constricting the loop about the patients tooth. Thereafter, the block may be clamped upon the matrix band .to rmly hold the latter around the banded tooth, and the retainer may be removed from the patients mouth.

It is proposed in this invention to provide an improved embodiment in which the clamping block is more rmly secured to the retainer, While the band is being constcted around the patients tooth; and, moreover, the block is more positively locked to the overlapped end sections of the band prior to removal of the retainer. Furthermore, the retainer may be removed from the block in either a lateral or an occlusal direction, thus facilitating the operators work with the minimum of discomfort to the patient.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features vw'll be set forth in the appended claims.

Drawing For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan or occlusal view of my combination dental matrix band retainer and detachable clamping block for the band;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof, as seen from the plane 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan or ,gingival view, as observed from the plane 3-3 of lFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the dental matrix band retainer;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane 5-5 of FIGURE 1, disclosing the clamping block as being locked to a head of lthe retainer;

FIGURE 6 is a View similar to FIGURE 5, but showing the clamping block as being unlocked, whereby the retainer may be disengaged from the block;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane 7 7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a face view of the dental matrix band;

FIGURE 9 is an occlusal view of a banded tooth, illustrating the dental matrix band as being held in place around the patients tooth by `the clamping block; and

FIGURE 10 is an isometric View of a swingable plate that is carried by the clamping block.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes,

or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims Without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed description Referring to the drawing in detail, I have illustrated a dental matrix band retainer which is designated generally at A. It defines a longitudinally-extending bar 10 having a retainer head B at its forward end. This head is H-shaped in top and bottom plan views (see FIGURES l and 3, respectively), and defines a web 11 having a transverse slot 12 extending upwardly thereinto from the underneath or gingival side of the web (see FIGURE 4). The slot 12 is adapted to slidably receive overlapped end sections 13 of a looped matrix band C, with the loop 14 projecting laterally from the retainer head B for encircling a patients tooth D (see FIGURE 9).

It will be noted that the retainer A has a slidable block E disposed on the bar 10 for back and forth adjustment movement therealong. The overlapped end sections 13 of the band C may be -guided through a longitudinal slot 15 provided in the underneath side of the retainer head B, with these end sections 13 of the band extending into a diagonal slot 16 of the block E, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3.

For the purpose of detachably anchoring .the overlapped end sections 13 of the matrix band C to the block E, the latter is fashioned with a threaded bore 17 that intersects the diagonal slot 16. A spindle F has its forward end threaded into the bore 17, and this spindle has a conical end 18 arranged to clamp the end sections 13 of the band to the slidable block E. 'Ihe spindle F may be rotated by an operating knob 19 to cause the conical end E-.S to engage with the band ends.

lt will be apparent that movement of the slidable block E along the bar 10 in a direction away from the retainer head B will draw the loop 14 of the matrix band C tighny around the banded tooth D, while movement of the block E in the opposite direction will relax the grip of the band upon the tooth. For the purpose of moving the spindle F axially and carrying the block E therewith, a rotatable sleeve G has lbeen provided. The spindle F is threaded through this sleeve, and the latter is fashioned with an annular groove 20 therein for receiving forked ends 21 of a U-shaped end H, the latter being provided at the rear end of the bar 10. The sleeve G may be rotated in one direction to advance the block E toward the retainer head B, while an opposite rotation of this sleeve will retract the block E relative to the head B. I'he forked ends 21 hold the sleeve G against longitudinal movement, but permit its free rotation.

The retainer head B is fashioned with a pair of block receiving recesses l on its opposite sides, each being adapted to removably receive a clamping block K. Of course, the clamping block K may be arranged in either recess l, depending upon the side from which the loop 14 of the band C projects.

As to the structural details of the clamping block K, FIGURE 7 shows it as being U-shaped and deiining a pair of spaced upright arms 22. Each of these arms has a slot 23 formed therein, and extending upwardly thereinto from the underneath or gingival surface of the clamping block, this slot being arranged for receiving the overlapped end sections 13 of the matrix band C and through which these end sections of the band may be drawn (see FIGURE 3).

It will be noted that a plate L is swingably secured to the clamping block K by a journal pin 24, this plate being disposed between the upright arms 22 for swinging in a plane extending transversely across the slots 23 (compare FIGURES 5 and 6). Moreover, the plate L has a slot 25 through which the overlapped end sections 13 of the band C may extend (see FIGURES 6 and 10).

As clearly shown in FIGURES l to 6, inclusive, each block-receiving recess .l denes confronting walls, each of which is provided with a lug-receiving notch 26 therein. The plate L has locking lugs 27 which are located for moving into the notches 26, when the plate L is swung into the position shown in FIGURE 5, thereby locking the clamping block K to the retainer head B. At this time, the slots 23 in the arms 22 register with the slot 25 in the plate L, and thus the overlapped end sections 13 may be drawn through the slots 23 for constricting the loop 14 around the banded tooth D, when the slidable block E is retracted relative to the retainer head B.

The swingable plate L is formed with a punch 28, which is positioned to penetrate the overlapped end sections 13 of the band C to thereby anchor the block K to the band, when the plate is swung into the position shown in FIGURE 6. At this time, the locking lugs 27 are withdrawn from the notches 26, whereby the retainer Amay be removed from the patients mouth, while leaving the block E still anchored to the overlapped end sections 13 of the band, as shown in FIGURE 9. The operator may shear off any undesired parts of the end sections 13 that project beyond the block K.

With particular reference to FIGURES 6 and 8, it will be observed that the punch 2S forms interlocking crimps 29 in the band end sections 13, when the punch penetrates into the band C. The punch may form apertures in the band ends, if desired. However, the plate L is provided with a stripping finger 30, the latter being disposed to substantially iiatten the crimps 29, when this plate is swung into a position to withdraw the punch 28 from the band. This will facilitate subsequent removal of the band C from the clamping block K.

In order to swing the plate L between the two positions disclosed in FIGURES 5 and 6, this plate is provided with an operating knob 31 in which a socket 32 is fashioned. A handle tool 33 may be inserted into the socket 32, as suggested in FIGURE 6, so as to swing the plate L in the desired direction. Stops 34 on the block K limit the swinging movement of the plate.

Particular attention is called to the fact that each blockreceiving recess I opens to a lateral side of the retainer head B, and further extends in a gingival-occlusal direction relative to the banded tooth. Thus the retainer A may be removed from the clamping block K in either a lateral or an occlusal direction.

Moreover, the dat bar 10 of the retainer A serves as a Aguide in orienting the retainer at all times, and facilitates placement of the ensemble in proper position on the tooth D, and in carrying the matrix band C 2in a fully controlled, fulldview, insertion-plane over the gingival oor areas of the prepared tooth to be banded and lled. Also, the

plate L is swingable in a plane substantially paralleling the bar 10, and this arrangement will materially facilitate the work of the operator in clamping the block K to the dental matrix band, after the latter has been constricted around the patients tooth.

The clamping block K is universally applicable to the right or left quadrants of both the upper and lower teeth; and, at all times, it is Vin plain View of the operator and readily accessible for easy removal, when the restoration of the tooth has been completed. Inasmuch as the retainer A may be entirely removed from the patients mouth, while leaving the band C rmly anchored around the banded tooth by the clamping block K, the operator is provided with the maximum access and improved visibility. At the same time the patient is provided with a greater degree of comfort.

I claim:

1. A clamping block for use with a dental matrix retainer in securing a looped matrix band around a patients tooth: a U-shaped block dening a pair of spaced upright arms; each arm being slotted for receiving overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band, and through which said end sections of the band may be drawn; a plate swingably secured to the clamping block, and being disposed between the arms of the block for swinging in a plane extending transversely across the slots; the plate having a slot through which the overlapped end sections of the band may extend; the plate having locking lugs which aire located `for projecting beyond the block, when the plate is swung in one direction, at which time the slots `in the arms and the plate are disposed in registration with one another; the plate being formed with a punch which is positioned to penetrate the overlapped end sections of the band to form interlocking crimps in the band end sections and thereby anchor the block to the band, when the plate is swung in the opposite direction, at which time the locking lugs are disposed within the contines of the block. Y

l2. A clamping block for use with a dental matrix retainer in securing a looped matrix band around a patients tooth, as defined in claim l; and in which the plate is provided with a stripping nger, the latter being disposed to substantially atten the crimps of the overlapped end sections of the band surrounding the penetrations of the band, when the plate is swung into a position to withdraw the punch from the band.

Shannon Feb. 7, 1911 Howe -s May 15, 1934 

